Back To Square One...ugh!

Sorry that its been so long guys! I come in every now and then to check things out. Hope I haven't missed much! Its good to be back.

The reason I say back to square one is because Boo and I are really back to square one if not square zero. I've been going out to lunge him more often now that its warming up. Its chaotic!

He seem so arrogant and flighty. But...I think I'm beginning to realize that his behavior seems to be more out of fear than aggression or arrogance. In January I decided this would be my last year with Blu if he and I didn't totally click. We're getting nowhere.

I feel like I spend all the time I have with Boo and there has been no success whatsoever. Frustrating. Any advice?

Thanks...

Three words, cut your losses.
I struggled with a mare for 5 years and we eventually "clicked", but never really got anywhere. Yes it was a good learning experience, but a one time learning experience. I buy horses I like, I keep horses I like. All others are someone else's problem.
Even if you have to practically give the horse to a good home, think of it as you are no longer paying $300 a month for a headache.

You might have to try to de-sensitize him to different things again, rubbing him all down, over all his body, relaxing him, and getting him use to you again, I don't know what really happened, but just take the time you both should click again. Have you found anything that he is more nervous or sketchy about, or is it you, or is it just working with him in general??? Do you lunge to gain his respect and trust on the ground, or do you lunge to tire him out a bit more?

Did you just get this horse??? How long have you had him?? Did you have a really strong connection with him before?? Just make sure if it comes down to you selling him, that the next person clicks with the horse, that they both like each other, and want to work with each other.

I hope that you find the answers that your looking for. I think what you said anebel was great too, just makes sense, I do the same thing when I purchase a horse, except rhiszo, I took him because the people up the road didn't want him, turned out to be a good horse for me :)

I owned a OTTB and had her for three years we never clicked and she was more of a pain in the a** than anything I never seemed to truly enjoy her or our rides so I actually traded her for one that worked for me and the guy I traded with just loves that mare and so maybe there is anither horse for you and there is a special someone for your horse. I say too cut yourlosses and find something you will enjoy.JMO

Could it be pain-related? What about doing ground work to build confidence and the relationship between the both of you. Otherwise, there absolutely are people/horse combinations that just don't click no matter what you do. I'd say check for pain, do some bonding and confidence exercises on the flat, and then make a decisions on what's best for you and Blu and good luck!

I'm printing out flyers as we speak.

This may sound crude or overydramatic but lately...

Blu makes me not want to work with horses.

And I love horses!

I think that's fair. It sounds to me like you've given him a good shot. Sometimes, personalities clash - I know I've experienced that before with a horse. A horse that seems "flighty and arrogant" to one rider seems "spirited and challenging" to another - frankly, it's a personality thing. A team that doesn't fit like puzzle pieces won't succeed - and that isn't just true of horse/person teams, it's true of person/person teams.

Just make sure you continue to work with him until he's sold - you don't want someone who buys him running back and saying, "What's wrong with this horse?"

Best of luck.

Few Spot Appaloosa Gelding

Not bad?

I kinda wrote a lot. I just want to be brutally honest. No sugar-coating.

The ad isnt bad, but I would find a different pic, that one isnt very flattering. If you don't have a good body shot, put up a nice head shot. You will get more inquiries if the pic is decent.

The ad looks good - agree with a different pic as you can't even see his face here. Headshot would be better. Also the head high/hollow back still sounds like a potential pain issue to me so you may want to check that b/c if his back is sore, if nothing else getting it corrected/adjusted will help him sell faster and also likely calm him down some when being ridden.